close quarters
pairing: io laithe / estinien varlineau
word count: 690
note: finally giving a little headcanoned moment a spotlight. is there ever a good time to notice your friend's hot?
“You are going easy on me,” Io says through gritted teeth, shoving Estinien’s wooden lance away with her own.
He takes an easy step back, falling into a relaxed lean against the practice lance, eyeing her stance as she repositions. Her feet are too close together, as are her hands on the pole, leading to unwieldy movements he can predict before she makes them.
To her credit, they’ve only been at this for a bell or so. He’s seen worse.
...But he's seen better too. So, yes, he is taking it easy on her.
“We don’t have to keep at this. Surely there’s something else to do–”
“Estinien,” she huffs, standing at her full height and gesturing around them with the stick. “Have you forgotten we are at sea, and will be for another month? I need to train, and unfortunately, the occasional gull makes for poor sport.”
She all but pouts, beckoning him to continue with wide, pleading eyes. There is a thrum in his chest, something tiny and warm brushes against the fondness he holds for her.
Something new.
“Fine.”
If Io wants a lesson, he shall give her one. He slots his blunted weapon into the nearest rack and moves to her side.
“Hold it out,” he instructs. She does as he says with a giddy smile and without question, so he steps behind her. “Hands–” he covers hers with his own, then slides them into a more practical placement– “here, and here. Yes?”
“Wider grip, I can do that.” Io nods, her tied hair brushing his shoulder. A few strands lay across it completely.
Estinien inhales deeply, nodding too.
“Wider stance, as well. Stay low.” His hands move to her shoulder and waist, pushing her into a lunge position. He glances to the place his fingers meet her shoulder, ready to correct the slight stiffness she's still holding there, but his attention is drawn away.
Io's skin glistens in the midday sun, light twisting and refracting across the lean muscle of her back and arms, and under the thin sheen of sweat lie a dense scattering of freckles. Has he never noticed them? They spread across her back and down, down, to his other hand at her waist. Without a thought, his thumb slides over her skin, cutting a slow arc across her side. He watches it happen as if he’s lost control of his actions, expression turning to stone.
Estinien doesn’t move.
Doesn’t speak.
Doesn't breathe.
Io exhales at the touch, her firm posture betrayed by the unsteady breath. She seems otherwise unphased, even shifting further into the space of his arms. “Why must I be this low? It’s terribly uncomfortable.”
She turns her head, inspecting him from the corner of her eye, something like concern written on her brow. He’s been silent for too long. His hands are still on her, and his expression must be amusing if he takes Io’s sudden smile into account. She swallows, and he cannot help but watch the ripple of movement. Her lips, her throat...
“Stin. Silence can be an excellent tutor, but I do have questions.”
He steps away, clearing his throat as he ponders how to answer. There must be something else–anything else–on this godsforsaken deck to look at. “Store your energy so you’re ready to leap when the fight calls for it. You wouldn’t keep your bowstring at a full draw constantly. This is the same.”
“I see the logic in that. This looks better?” She holds her half-corrected stance, glancing at him for approval.
Estinien, busying himself with the small collection of practice weapons, peers at Io over his shoulder.
She does look much improved, but her form is no longer the only thing he notices. The sun on her skin, illuminating dark constellations broken only by her clothing. The delicate floral scent in her hair that faded as he moved away. Her gently teasing smile. The inexplicable compulsion to be next to her again. He now notices all these too.
Halone grant me the fucking strength.
“Aye,” he sighs, roughly jerking up a lance. “Much better. Let’s go again.”
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